Percussion into flintlock???

[wf4933]

I have a TCA percussion Hawkins 50 cal. rifle,
bought new probably 30 years ago. + or -
Is it possible to make a flintlock rifle out of a
percussion rifle. Just wondering out loud.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Depends on the breech, if it's a snail type not so much. If it has a drum and nipple then you stand a better chance of a successful conversion.

 

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello wf4933,

Yes, it can be done.
You will need to remove the drum,
And make a matching flash hole liner,
Then install a CVA Flint lock.
I went the other way with a Pedersoli rifle,
never had a misfire since.

OOP's, I misread the TCA as CVA. Sorry guys.

AntiqueSledMan.

 

[arcticap]

I have a TCA percussion Hawkins 50 cal. rifle,
bought new probably 30 years ago. + or -
Is it possible to make a flintlock rifle out of a
percussion rifle. Just wondering out loud.

Does TCA stand for Thompson Center Arms?
Here's a thread that mentions an issue with converting an older TC Hawken stock verses a newer TC Hawken stock. --->>> https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/tc-percussion-to-flint.69639/
The newer Hawken stock basically allows for a drop in fit for the lock.
Then you would only need to have a complete TC Hawken flintlock barrel to be able to switch back and forth.

However converting a percussion barrel to become a flintlock barrel may present a different set of issues.
So the ease of the project may depend on whether you have or can find or make a Hawken flintlock barrel with a flintlock breech plug.
This thread is about converting TC Renegades but it gives an idea of what may need to be done to convert both a percussion barrel and a stock where the lock isn't a drop in fit.--->>> https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/still-havnt-yanked-the-trigger-yet.107735/

It was only briefly mentioned in the first thread that TC had introduced an improved flintlock cock [or hammer] in the 1990's which inproved their lock geometry and performance.
Their flintlocks before then were known for rapidly wearing out flints.
TC made the new cocks available to replace the cocks on older locks and installed them on new guns.
But many original cocks were never replaced before TC went out of the sidelock business.
I just wanted to make you aware that not all TC flintlocks "locks" & "cocks" are the same.
And it can be hard to find the upgraded cock for sale without the rest of the lock.
A person can tell the difference by looking at the "S" shape of the cock, with the newer one having more of an "S" shape to it than the older one.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Then you would only need to have a complete TC Hawken flintlock barrel to be able to switch back and forth.

Agreed, the simplest answer is for you to scrounge a TC flintlock lock, then either a TC barrel for flintlock, or you might fashion a hooked breech barrel that you could drop-in.

IF you went the way of the after-market "drop-in" lock, then you would change the lock mortise in the stock, BUT your lock mortise would then fit the corresponding caplock version. So IF you fitted the stock for an L&R Flintlock meant for the TC Hawken, then if you wanted to swap back..., you'd need an L&R Caplock lock meant for the TC Hawken.

Green Mountain once produced aftermarket barrels for the Thompson Centers, so one of their barrels in flintlock should also work if you can find one. Their original idea was to produce extra barrels for targets or small game, since TC didn't offer a wide range of calibers in the Hawken. TC did for a time offer a rifle known as the Seneca, and another known as the Cherokee. While both could be had in .45, (iirc) for the Seneca one could obtain a second barrel in .36, and the Cherokee also came in .45 but also in .36 and in .32. So the Green Mountain company made barrels for the Hawken and Renegade in (iirc) .50, .45, .40, and in .36. So if you went the Green Mountain route, with a second hand TC flintlock lock, you might be looking at a caliber change, but you'd still have a pretty interesting "gun system".



LD

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Give us a picture of the lock and the nipple area!

You would need the lock from a comparable TC Flint Hawken and a touch hole insert:
Jedediah Starr Trading Co. On Line Store (jedediah-starr.com)
Be sure to pull the old lock and look at its lock work before buying the new lock unless you like wood working!

I just bought an almost mint Traditions Pennsylvania Percussion in the old style 40.5 inch barrel that had a broken lock.
I found a brand new replacement Flint Traditions lock on ebay and just sent for the above touch hole liner to replace the drum and nipple.
If it doesn't fit I'm only out five bucks.
A fun project for some snowy evening this winter.